Buffalo Bills starter feels like he's letting Josh Allen down by not reaching elite status
Professional athletes only reach the pinnacle of sports by setting goals and relentlessly pursuing them. If not for themselves, it's a common refrain to hear athletes express being motivated by not letting their teammates down.For Buffalo Bills often-underrated offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, it's no different. Dion Dawkins is setting his eyes on an elite tier […]
Professional athletes only reach the pinnacle of sports by setting goals and relentlessly pursuing them. If not for themselves, it's a common refrain to hear athletes express being motivated by not letting their teammates down.
For Buffalo Bills often-underrated offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, it's no different.
Dion Dawkins is setting his eyes on an elite tier
For Dawkins, who is an anchor as the starting left tackle on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, protecting one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen, he isn't satisfied. Dawkins is setting his goals on being recognized as one of the best linemen in the league. He wants to reach the top of the mountain in securing All-Pro status.
"There's a point where you can be cocky, there's a point when you can realize who you are, and there's a point of, you know, understanding your presence, right? And I think the presence that I have, and I've been saying this over and over, it's time, like it's just time, right?" Dawkins said after training camp practice. "Like Pro Bowls, I'm thankful, you know, Top-100, I salute it, right? Whatever it is, but All-Pro – I need to be an All-Pro tackle for Josh Allen and nobody else. I need to be All-Pro Shnow for Josh Allen, then I need to be All-Pro Shnow tackle for Dion Dawkins, and then for the rest of my team."
Dawkins deserves more recognition. Last season, of pass rushers with at least 500 pass blocking reps in the regular season, he was one of only five offensive tackles to allow one sack. Dawkins, of tackles with at least 300 pass blocking reps, also had the third-lowest pressure rate in the NFL at 6.9%.
Dawkins continues to grow, but his growth mindset isn't done.
"Every year that I'm not that – and it's just a personal thing – I feel like I'm letting Josh [Allen] down, even though I still do a great job. But there's levels to it. And you know, I have a certain walkabout to myself, I have a certain aura, and I have a very positive and confident aura, and for me to be truly who I am, I need to cross that threshold," Dawkins said.
Dion Dawkins getting encouragement from Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady to reach next level
In speaking about his goals, Dawkins gave a lot of credit to offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who has been helping him keep his eyes on the vision going forward.
"I appreciate that Joe [Brady] our coach, Joe is reminding me of that every day, because when you are a leader on the football team, it's good to hear another leader speak to another leader. And I tip my hat to Brady, out of respect that he reminds me of that every day, and I appreciate it. And that just shows that he understands his players, and he understands who his left tackle is, and I'm gonna fight until I get it," Dawkins said. "So I appreciate Joe, but yeah, Joe really reminds me of that before every walk through, every meeting, before every practice, it's like 'hey, All-Pro Shnow,' he just comes and just taps that bell, right? So I'm fighting for it, for our team and for our community."
Fortunately for Dawkins, the human Shnow Plow, he has a great offensive line coach in Aaron Kromer, an MVP-caliber quarterback in Allen, and an innovative offensive coordinator in Brady that will all play into putting him in a position to exceed. Now it's up to him to make the leap.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
